Know your rights as an employee during COVID-19

Know your rights! As an employee, your rights in Singapore are governed by the Employment Act and whichever union your company is a part of, however, it also largely depends on the terms of employment.

Can my employer adjust my wage/salary if they have no work for me or less work than usual due to COVID-19?

Employers are recommended to continue to use the enhanced Jobs Support Scheme to provide employees with a baseline pay, including CPF even if there is no work assigned to them during this period.

For adjustment of employee's wage, this should be conducted in a ‘fair' manner where management should first lead by example, before cutting employees' salaries.

Can my employer force me to go on no-pay leave during the COVID-19 period?

This should be one of the last few options an employer should consider. The enhanced Jobs Support Scheme should be used to provide employees with at least their basic salary including CPF contribution.

Is my retrenchment fair?

Employers will need to comply with the Mandatory Retrenchment Notifications requirement under the Employment Act to enable Tripartite partners to help affected local employees.

Retrenchment notice period:

Retrenchment Benefit (for employees with 2 years' service or more)

Can I be retrenched while pregnant or on maternity leave?

Working mothers are entitled to BOTH maternity and retrenchment benefits should they meet the requirements under the Employment Act or Child Development Co-Savings Act.

It is an offence for an employer to dismiss an employee while she is on maternity.

Can my employer insist that I continue to go to work even if the company falls under non-essential services during the Circuit Breaker period?

Businesses that provide non-essential services are encouraged to continue to remain operational through telecommuting where possible.However, if work involves physical activity or staff movement in Singapore, it is not permissible, unless the company has been given a time-limited exemption.

Should you suspect malpractice, please report this to [email protected].

What are the available employee helplines?

• For further queries relating to COVID-19, please refer to MOM's advisories on COVID-19

Or contact:

Ministry of Manpower

MOM Contact Centre: 6438 5122

Ministry of Health

MOH General Hotline: 6325 9220

• Have you been unfairly dismissed due on discriminatory grounds/deprivation of benefits/ as a punishment for exercising employment rights? File a wrongful dismissal claim at TADM, 1-month from last date of employment.

• If you come across any non-compliant employers, you can: Report an Employment Act violation

• Pick up new skills and move into new occupations or sectors with WSG's Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs).

• Join a Trade Union early on who can help negotiate for your rights or provide skills upgrading and assistance such as the NTUC Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP).

• Get a career coach to help you land your next job at WSG.